Lancaster, PA → Houston, TX · Cross-country move

Movers from Lancaster to Houston

About 1,521 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,840–$8,680, delivery in 5–10 days, 260 carriers on the Lancaster side and 3,257 in Houston.

1,521 miroad distance
26 hours (3 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$5,840–$8,6802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Katie Haugland Brown · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
To: Houston, Texas
Road distance: ≈ 1,521 miles (1,289 straight-line)
Drive time: 26 hours (3 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 260 (171 interstate)
Movers at destination: 3,257 (1,374 interstate)

Reverse: Houston → Lancaster

Houston sits about 1,521 miles southwest of Lancaster, which makes this an interstate relocation from Pennsylvania to Texas that most movers classify as a cross-country move.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $5,840 to $8,680 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 26 hours (3 driving days).

On the Lancaster side there are 260 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (171 of them authorized for interstate work), and 3,257 around Houston (1,374 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Houston.

Lancaster has a population of about 58,000 and Houston about 2.4 million. Lancaster is considerably denser (8,031 people per square mile versus 3,599), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Texas levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.

Cost of moving from Lancaster to Houston

Full-service estimate for 1,521 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,330	$2,850	$3,470
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,500	$4,270	$5,210
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,840	$7,120	$8,680
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$9,340	$11,390	$13,900
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$12,840	$15,660	$19,110

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,160–$3,050

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$2,380–$3,500

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$5,840–$8,680

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Lancaster, PA → Houston, TX. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Lancaster (origin)

Miller Dedicated Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2562869
MC: 894481
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 200 trucks, 200 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (609) 265-2511 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sunrise Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 276388
MC: 290856
Based in: Ephrata, PA 17522 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 128 trucks, 152 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (717) 721-2803 Route Verify on FMCSA

Falcon Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 168358
MC: 145282
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 120 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pioneer Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 514795
MC: 197249
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 115 trucks, 100 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Quaker Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 619559
MC: 287214
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (717) 735-0560 Route Verify on FMCSA

Snavely'S Mill INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 377174
MC: 302885
Based in: Lititz, PA 17543 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 39 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (717) 626-6256 Route Verify on FMCSA

Clark Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2040512
MC: 720073
Based in: Quarryville, PA 17566 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (717) 471-8623 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shawnee Trucking Pa INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1342517
MC: 515012
Based in: Lancaster, PA 17601 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 63 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (717) 684-6100 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 260 movers in Lancaster

Near Houston (destination)

Ceva Logistics US INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Ceva Contract Logistics US INC

USDOT: 187774
MC: 152620
Based in: Houston, TX 77032 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 452 trucks, 679 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (614) 482-5046 Route Verify on FMCSA

Xlr8 Delivery INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2926913
MC: 987802
Based in: Houston, TX 77073 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 331 trucks, 272 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (281) 784-2302 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tri Star Freight System INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 325836
MC: 1742035
Based in: Houston, TX 77028 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 282 trucks, 140 drivers
USDOT registered: 1988

Call (713) 631-1095 Route Verify on FMCSA

Palletized Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 152429
MC: 148279
Based in: Houston, TX 77009 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 224 trucks, 184 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (713) 225-3303 Route Verify on FMCSA

W W Rowland Trucking Company LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 213641
MC: 161344
Based in: Houston, TX 77013 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 170 trucks, 170 drivers
USDOT registered: 1982

Call (713) 675-1200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jetco Delivery

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Jetco Delivery LLC

USDOT: 1470034
MC: 555157
Based in: Houston, TX 77032 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 159 trucks, 124 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (713) 676-1111 Route Verify on FMCSA

Shark Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 541564
MC: 269507
Based in: Houston, TX 77016 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 126 trucks, 121 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (281) 458-2649 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ranger Energy Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2544062
MC: 10575
Based in: Houston, TX 77042 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 105 trucks, 178 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (713) 935-8900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 3,257 movers in Houston

Tips for this move

Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.
Confirm which items the mover will not carry (plants, perishables, propane, some batteries).
Expect a delivery spread of one to two weeks; plan temporary housing in Houston accordingly.
Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.

Near Lancaster

Near Houston

Related routes

Other destinations from Lancaster

Other origins to Houston

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Lancaster to Houston?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,330 to $3,470 for a studio, $3,500 to $5,210 for a one-bedroom, $5,840 to $8,680 for a two-bedroom, $9,340 to $13,900 for a three-bedroom and $12,840 to $19,110 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Houston from Lancaster?

About 1,521 road miles (1,289 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 26 hours (3 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Pennsylvania into Texas makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Lancaster to Houston?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,160 to $3,050 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,380 to $3,500. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Lancaster–Houston corridor.